How to Fill Out Washington Garnishment Writ + FAQs

A Washington Writ of Garnishment is the court-issued order that forces a third party — usually an employer or a bank — to hold a judgment debtor’s wages or property and turn that money over to the judgment creditor. It is governed by RCW Chapter 6.27 and is issued on the official Washington Courts pattern forms, most of which carry a current revision date of 05/2024.

If you fill the writ out wrong, the clerk will reject it, the garnishee can ignore it, or worse — the debtor can sue you for a wrongful garnishment under RCW 6.27.060. Washington courts process more than 90,000 garnishment writs each year, and the Northwest Justice Project estimates roughly 1 in 4 writs contains an error that delays or voids collection. This guide walks you through every box on every version of the writ so yours is not one of them.

• 📝 How to fill out all four Washington writ types — wage, bank, child support, and private student loan — line by line
• ⚖️ Which Washington statute powers each box, and the dollar consequence of getting it wrong
• 💰 Exact 2026 filing fees, the $10 garnishee answer fee, and the 60-day continuing-lien clock
• 📬 How to serve the writ, the debtor packet, and the exemption claim form by certified mail or sheriff
• 🚫 The 12 most common writ mistakes that cause Washington clerks to reject filings on sight

What the Washington Writ of Garnishment Is and Who Must File It

The Writ of Garnishment is a post-judgment collection tool authorized by RCW 6.27.020. It commands a third person — the garnishee — to freeze property, money, or wages owed to the judgment debtor and to answer the court within 20 days. Only a person who already holds a Washington money judgment, or a foreign judgment domesticated under RCW 6.36, may apply for one.

Washington recognizes four distinct writs, and each has its own pattern form. The Continuing Lien on Earnings writ (WPF GARN 01.0450) captures wages for 60 days. The Non-Continuing writ (WPF GARN 01.0500) grabs a one-time snapshot of bank balances or other property. A separate Child Support writ issues under RCW 26.18.070, and a Private Student Loan writ follows the lower 85%-of-disposable-earnings exemption in RCW 6.27.150(1)(d).

The writ is filed by the judgment creditor or the creditor’s attorney. In Superior Court, an attorney of record may issue the writ directly under RCW 6.27.020(2); in District Court, only the court clerk may issue it. Pro se creditors — landlords, small-claims winners, contractors — must always go through the clerk.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Walking into the clerk’s office without a complete packet is the single fastest way to be turned away. The King County Superior Court Clerk’s garnishment checklist lists these as mandatory, and most other counties follow the same pattern.

• The original signed Judgment. You need the certified copy showing the principal, interest rate, and date entered, because RCW 6.27.100 requires the writ to mirror the judgment exactly. A wrong judgment date voids the writ.
• The current judgment balance with interest calculated through the date of issuance. Washington post-judgment interest runs at the rate stated on the face of the judgment, usually 12% under RCW 4.56.110. Miscalculating means the garnishee may withhold the wrong amount.
• The garnishee’s exact legal name and address. “Bank of America” is wrong; Bank of America, N.A. is right. A misnamed garnishee can disregard the writ under RCW 6.27.110.
• The debtor’s full legal name, last known address, and last four of the SSN if known. This populates the Notice to Judgment Debtor.
• Two completed Exemption Claim Forms (one for earnings, one for bank/other). RCW 6.27.140 requires both versions to be served on the debtor.
• The $10 garnishee answer fee. The creditor must tender this fee with the writ under RCW 6.27.090; without it, the garnishee can refuse to answer.
• The court’s issuance fee. Superior Court charges $20 under RCW 36.18.012; District Court charges $12 under RCW 3.62.060.
• A self-addressed stamped envelope and a first-class mailing certificate. RCW 6.27.130 requires the creditor to mail the writ packet to the debtor within three days of service on the garnishee.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

All four writ versions live on the Washington Courts forms portal under the “Garnishment” category. The forms are downloadable as Word documents so you can type directly into the fields, and PDF copies are available for hand-completion. Always confirm the revision footer reads 05/2024 or later before filing.

County clerks also distribute paper packets. The Pierce County Clerk and Spokane County Clerk sell pre-stapled writ packets that bundle the writ, the application, the notices, and the exemption claim forms for around $5. These packets are useful because they guarantee you do not forget an attachment, but you must still confirm each form is the latest revision.

If you are an attorney filing in Superior Court, you may issue the writ on your own letterhead-style template under RCW 6.27.020(2), but most practitioners still use the pattern form to avoid clerk pushback. Pro se creditors should never use a hand-drafted writ; District Court clerks will reject anything that does not match the pattern form word-for-word.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Washington Writ of Garnishment Line by Line

The following walkthrough uses the Continuing Lien on Earnings writ, WPF GARN 01.0450, as the spine. Where the Non-Continuing, Child Support, or Private Student Loan writs differ, the differences are flagged inside each subsection.

Caption: Court, County, and Cause Number

The caption is the top block of the writ. It identifies the issuing court, the county, the case number, and the parties.

Plain English: This is the “address label” that tells the clerk and the garnishee which case the writ belongs to.

How to fill it in: Type the court name in all caps (SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY or KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT). Enter the cause number exactly as it appears on the judgment, including hyphens. List the plaintiff first, the defendant second, and add “Plaintiff/Judgment Creditor” and “Defendant/Judgment Debtor” labels in parentheses.

Example entry: Maria Lopez (Plaintiff/Judgment Creditor) v. Daniel Reyes (Defendant/Judgment Debtor), Cause No. 24-2-12345-6 SEA.

Edge case: If the judgment was entered in District Court and you transferred it to Superior Court for garnishment under RCW 6.27.020, the caption must show the Superior Court cause number, not the District Court number.

Common mistake and consequence: Filers copy the District Court number onto a Superior Court writ. The clerk rejects the writ at intake, and the creditor loses the day’s filing.

Misconception: Many filers think the caption is “just a header” and re-type it from memory. The caption is jurisdictional — a wrong county voids service under RCW 6.27.110.

Garnishee Name and Address Block

This block names the third party that holds the debtor’s money or wages.

Plain English: Who is being ordered to freeze the money?

How to fill it in: Use the garnishee’s exact registered legal name. For banks, look up the charter name on the FDIC BankFind tool. For employers, use the name on the debtor’s W-2 or the Washington Secretary of State Corporations Search. Add the registered agent’s address for service if you are serving the corporate entity.

Example entry: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., c/o CT Corporation System, 711 Capitol Way S, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501.

Edge case: If the employer is a sole proprietorship doing business as a trade name, list both — John Smith dba Smith Roofing. Otherwise the writ binds only one of them.

Common mistake and consequence: Writing “Wells Fargo” instead of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The bank’s legal department will return the writ as misaddressed, and the 60-day continuing lien clock starts over.

Misconception: Filers think they can serve any branch. Washington requires service on the registered agent or a designated officer under RCW 6.27.110.

Judgment Debtor Block

This identifies the person whose property is being grabbed.

Plain English: Whose money is the garnishee freezing?

How to fill it in: Enter the debtor’s full legal name as it appears on the judgment. Add the last known residence address. If you have the last four digits of the SSN, include them; never include the full SSN under GR 31.

Example entry: Daniel Reyes, 1422 NE 65th St, Apt 3, Seattle, WA 98115, SSN xxx-xx-1234.

Edge case: If the debtor uses an alias listed on the judgment (“aka”), include every alias. Otherwise the garnishee may answer “no such employee” even when the debtor works there.

Common mistake and consequence: Using the debtor’s mailing address (a P.O. Box) instead of the residence address. The Notice to Judgment Debtor mailing under RCW 6.27.130 is then defective and the writ may be quashed.

Misconception: Filers think a missing middle name is harmless. For common names like James Smith, the garnishee may freeze the wrong account, exposing the creditor to wrongful-garnishment damages.

Amount of Judgment Remaining Unpaid

This is the dollar figure the writ is collecting on.

Plain English: How much does the debtor still owe?

How to fill it in: List the principal balance, accrued interest through the date of issuance, taxable costs already entered, and any awarded attorney fees. Show each as a separate line item.

Example entry: Principal: $7,500.00; Interest at 12% through 05/22/2026: $912.33; Costs: $240.00; Total Unpaid Judgment: $8,652.33.

Edge case: If the debtor made partial payments, subtract them and attach a payment ledger. RCW 6.27.100 requires the writ to reflect actual unpaid balance, not the original judgment.

Common mistake and consequence: Forgetting to credit a $500 partial payment. The debtor moves to quash, the court awards the debtor attorney fees under RCW 6.27.230, and the creditor pays more than was collected.

Misconception: Filers believe interest stops at judgment. It does not — Washington post-judgment interest runs daily until paid.

Estimated Interest to Accrue and Costs of Garnishment

This block lets the writ capture the interest and costs that will accrue during the garnishment.

Plain English: How much extra will pile on while the garnishment is pending?

How to fill it in: Multiply the daily interest rate by the expected duration. For a 60-day continuing wage lien at 12% on $8,000, that is roughly $8,000 × 0.12 ÷ 365 × 60 = $157.81. Add the issuance fee, the $10 garnishee answer fee, and service costs.

Example entry: Estimated interest during garnishment: $157.81; Garnishment costs: $52.00 (filing $20, garnishee fee $10, service $22); Total Estimated: $209.81.

Edge case: If you are using a process server rather than the sheriff, use the actual quoted price; padded estimates can be challenged.

Common mistake and consequence: Inflating costs to recover later. The court can sanction the creditor and award debtor fees under RCW 6.27.230.

Misconception: Filers think only “court costs” count. Reasonable service fees and the $10 garnishee fee are recoverable; postage and copies usually are not.

Return Date and Answer Deadline

This block tells the garnishee when to answer.

Plain English: By when must the bank or employer respond to the court?

How to fill it in: The return date is 20 days after service for non-continuing writs and 20 days after the end of the 60-day pay-period range for continuing wage writs, per RCW 6.27.130. The clerk usually fills this in; double-check before service.

Example entry: Answer due on or before 07/21/2026.

Edge case: If the 20th day falls on a weekend or court holiday, the deadline rolls to the next court day under CR 6.

Common mistake and consequence: Counting calendar days from issuance instead of from service. The garnishee answers late, the creditor moves for default, and the court denies it because the writ deadline was wrong.

Misconception: Filers think the writ “expires” on the return date. The continuing lien on earnings remains in force for the full 60-day pay-period window even past the answer date.

Continuing Lien on Earnings Section (WPF GARN 01.0450 only)

This block converts a one-shot writ into a 60-day standing order on wages.

Plain English: This is the box that turns a wage writ into a “rolling” writ for 60 days.

How to fill it in: Check the box labeled “This is a writ for a continuing lien on earnings.” Insert the start date (date of service on employer) and the end date (60 days later).

Example entry: Continuing lien begins 05/22/2026 and ends 07/21/2026.

Edge case: If the debtor’s pay period straddles the 60th day, the employer must still withhold from the final straddling paycheck under RCW 6.27.350.

Common mistake and consequence: Failing to check the continuing-lien box. The writ then operates as a one-time grab on a single paycheck only.

Misconception: Filers believe the lien renews automatically. It does not — the creditor must issue a new writ after day 60.

Private Student Loan Box (WPF GARN 01.0455 only)

This box flags the writ as collecting a private (non-federal) student loan.

Plain English: Is this debt a private student loan rather than a credit card or judgment?

How to fill it in: Check the private student loan box, which triggers the 85% of disposable earnings exemption under RCW 6.27.150(1)(d) instead of the standard 80%.

Example entry: ☒ This writ collects a private student loan; exemption is the greater of 85% of disposable earnings or 50× state minimum wage per week.

Edge case: Federal student loans use administrative wage garnishment, not a Washington writ; do not use this form.

Common mistake and consequence: Using the consumer-debt writ for a private student loan. The employer over-withholds, and the debtor recovers the over-withheld amount plus fees from the creditor.

Misconception: Filers think “student loan” means federal. Private loans from Sallie Mae, Discover, and similar lenders use the state writ — but with the higher exemption.

Child Support Writ Specific Boxes

The Child Support writ under RCW 26.18.070 has unique boxes for current support, arrears, and CCPA cap.

Plain English: This writ collects past-due child support and applies the federal CCPA cap, not the consumer-debt exemption.

How to fill it in: List the monthly current support, the total arrears, and check whether the obligor supports another family. The CCPA cap is 50% of disposable earnings if the obligor supports another family, 60% if not, plus 5% if more than 12 weeks in arrears, per 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b).

Example entry: Current support: $650/mo; Arrears: $4,200; Obligor supports another family: No; Withholding cap: 65%.

Edge case: If the Washington Division of Child Support is already issuing an income-withholding order, do not file a parallel writ — it creates conflicting withholdings.

Common mistake and consequence: Applying the consumer-debt 80% exemption. The employer under-withholds, arrears grow, and the obligee must re-issue.

Misconception: Filers think child-support garnishment requires the same exemption claim packet. It does not — child support uses its own notice under RCW 26.23.

Issuance Block: Clerk or Attorney Signature

This is where the writ is “issued” — the legal moment it becomes effective.

Plain English: Who signs the writ to make it real?

How to fill it in: In District Court, the clerk signs and seals. In Superior Court, the clerk signs unless an attorney of record issues it under RCW 6.27.020(2), in which case the attorney signs and inserts WSBA number.

Example entry: Issued this 22nd day of May, 2026. /s/ Jane Doe, WSBA #45678, Attorney for Plaintiff.

Edge case: A pro se creditor cannot sign as issuer in Superior Court. The clerk must sign or the writ is void.

Common mistake and consequence: A paralegal signs for the attorney without an electronic signature authorization. The garnishee’s counsel objects, and the writ is quashed.

Misconception: Filers think the judge signs the writ. Judges do not — the writ is a clerk-issued or attorney-issued instrument.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez Garnishes Daniel Reyes’s Wages on a $7,500 Small-Claims Judgment

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Court and Cause Number	King County Superior Court, Cause No. 24-2-12345-6 SEA
Parties	Maria Lopez (Judgment Creditor) v. Daniel Reyes (Judgment Debtor)
Garnishee	Amazon.com Services LLC, c/o Corporation Service Co., 300 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501
Judgment Debtor	Daniel Reyes, 1422 NE 65th St Apt 3, Seattle, WA 98115
Unpaid Balance	Principal $7,500.00; Interest $912.33; Costs $240.00; Total $8,652.33
Estimated Costs During Garnishment	Interest $157.81; Costs $52.00; Total $209.81
Continuing Lien Box	☒ Continuing lien from 05/22/2026 to 07/21/2026
Return Date	Answer due on or before 08/10/2026
Issuer	Clerk of Court, signed and sealed 05/22/2026

Scenario 2: Pacific Credit Union Grabs $4,200 from Janet Park’s Checking Account

Form Section	What Pacific Credit Union Enters
Form Used	WPF GARN 01.0500 — Non-Continuing Writ
Court and Cause Number	Spokane County District Court, Cause No. 5Z0123456
Garnishee	Bank of America, N.A., c/o CT Corporation, 711 Capitol Way S #204, Olympia, WA 98501
Judgment Debtor	Janet Park, 4501 S Regal St, Spokane, WA 99223
Unpaid Balance	Principal $3,800.00; Interest $290.50; Costs $112.00; Total $4,202.50
Estimated Costs	Interest $0 (one-time grab); Costs $42.00
Non-Continuing Notice	☒ This writ captures only funds on hand at time of service
Return Date	Answer due on or before 06/15/2026
Issuer	Clerk of District Court, sealed 05/22/2026

Scenario 3: Carlos Mendoza Collects $4,200 in Child Support Arrears from Ex-Spouse

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Form Used	Child Support Writ under RCW 26.18.070
Court and Cause Number	Pierce County Superior Court, Cause No. 22-3-04567-1
Garnishee	Boeing Company, c/o CT Corporation, Olympia, WA 98501
Obligor	Luis Mendoza, 8721 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98444
Current Support	$650.00/month
Arrears	$4,200.00 through 04/30/2026
Supports Another Family?	No
CCPA Cap	65% (over 12 weeks in arrears, no second family)
Issuer	Clerk of Superior Court, sealed 05/22/2026

How to File the Completed Writ

Filing happens in two steps: lodging the writ with the court, and serving it on the garnishee. Each Washington filing channel has its own rules, fees, and proof-of-filing.

In person at the clerk’s office. Bring the original writ, two copies, the application, the debtor packet, the $20 (Superior) or $12 (District) issuance fee, and the $10 garnishee fee. The clerk seals the writ on the spot and hands you a conformed copy as proof. The King County Clerk’s E-Filing page lists hours and addresses.

By mail. Mail the packet with a check for fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk. Processing takes 5–10 business days, and the clerk mails back the sealed writ. Use certified mail with return receipt as proof of mailing.

Through the Washington E-Filing portal. Counties that participate (King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston) accept electronic filing. The portal charges the same statutory fee plus a small e-filing surcharge of $20. Proof of filing is the system-generated confirmation email and clocked-in copy.

Service on the garnishee. Once issued, the writ must be served by sheriff or registered process server under RCW 6.27.110. Sheriff fees range from $20 to $50; private process servers charge $35–$75. Within three days of service on the garnishee, the creditor must mail the writ packet to the debtor under RCW 6.27.130 and file a Declaration of Mailing.

What Happens After You File

The garnishee has 20 days from service to file an Answer with the court and serve copies on the creditor and debtor under RCW 6.27.190. The Answer states whether the garnishee holds property, how much, and any setoffs. The garnishee may deduct a $20 processing fee from the debtor’s funds for its trouble.

If the debtor wants to claim an exemption, the debtor returns the Exemption Claim Form within 28 days. The court holds a quick hearing within 14 days of the claim, and the funds are released or held according to the ruling. If no exemption is filed, the creditor moves for a Judgment on Answer under RCW 6.27.250 and disbursement follows in 7–14 days.

For continuing wage writs, the employer withholds each pay period for 60 days, holds the money until the answer date, and then remits to the creditor or court registry. The creditor can refile a new writ on day 61 if the judgment is not yet satisfied.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Wrong court caption. Listing District Court when the judgment is in Superior Court voids the writ at intake.
• Misnamed garnishee. “Chase” instead of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. lets the bank ignore the writ without penalty.
• Wrong continuing-lien box. Missing the check box turns a 60-day wage writ into a one-paycheck grab.
• Stale judgment balance. Forgetting to credit partial payments invites a debtor motion to quash with fees.
• Bad interest math. Using simple instead of daily-compounded interest at 12% under-collects or over-collects every time.
• No $10 garnishee fee tendered. The garnishee can refuse to answer, killing the writ.
• Late debtor mailing. Missing the three-day mailing window under RCW 6.27.130 is grounds for quashing.
• Wrong exemption form. Using the earnings exemption form for a bank writ confuses the debtor and may delay claim.
• Skipping the Notice to Judgment Debtor. RCW 6.27.140 makes this notice mandatory; without it the writ is defective.
• Pro se creditor signing as issuer in Superior Court. Only the clerk or an attorney of record can issue.
• Using the consumer writ for private student loans. The exemption is 85%, not 80%.
• Filing two writs against the same paycheck. Only one continuing wage writ is permitted at a time under RCW 6.27.350; the second is held in line.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do double-check the garnishee’s exact corporate name on the Washington Secretary of State business search before serving.
• Do calculate interest on the day you file, not the day you drafted the writ, because daily interest changes the total.
• Do tender the $10 garnishee fee with a separate check; combining it with the filing fee causes accounting confusion at the clerk’s office.
• Do keep certified copies of every served document for at least three years in case of a debtor challenge.
• Do mail the debtor packet by first-class mail and file the Declaration of Mailing the same day.
• Do use a registered process server when speed matters, because sheriff service can take two weeks.
• Don’t alter the pattern form’s wording or strike-through any clauses; clerks reject altered writs on sight.
• Don’t include the debtor’s full SSN; GR 31 limits filings to the last four digits.
• Don’t estimate costs you cannot document — over-claimed costs are sanctionable.
• Don’t serve the writ before it is sealed by the clerk; an unsealed writ has no force.
• Don’t forget to refile after 60 days if the wage lien did not satisfy the judgment.
• Don’t assume the garnishee will calculate exemptions correctly; many employers under-withhold and trigger debtor refunds.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

• Pro of pro se filing: No attorney fees, which on a $5,000 judgment can preserve 20–30% of the recovery.
• Pro of pro se filing: You learn the process and can repeat it on future judgments without paying again.
• Pro of attorney filing: Superior Court attorneys can issue the writ themselves under RCW 6.27.020, skipping clerk delays.
• Pro of attorney filing: Attorneys carry malpractice insurance, so a wrongful-garnishment claim does not bankrupt you.
• Pro of attorney filing: Counsel can chain writs and sweep multiple garnishees efficiently.
• Con of pro se filing: A single math mistake exposes you to debtor attorney fees under RCW 6.27.230.
• Con of pro se filing: District Court clerks will not give legal advice on which writ form to use.
• Con of attorney filing: Flat fees of $300–$750 per writ eat into small judgments.
• Con of attorney filing: You still must supply the underlying information; bad data in still yields bad writ out.
• Con of attorney filing: Some firms add per-paycheck handling fees that recur every pay period.

Wage Writ vs. Bank Writ at a Glance

Feature	Continuing Wage Writ vs. Non-Continuing Bank Writ
Form Number	WPF GARN 01.0450 (wage) vs. WPF GARN 01.0500 (bank)
Duration	60 days rolling vs. one-time snapshot
Exemption	80% disposable earnings or 35× minimum wage vs. $2,500 bank account exemption under RCW 6.15.010
Best Use Case	Steady employment vs. lump-sum savings
Refile Required?	Yes, every 60 days vs. yes, for each new deposit

FAQs

Can I file a writ of garnishment without a judgment?

No. Washington requires a final money judgment under RCW 6.27.020; pre-judgment writs exist only for non-resident defendants and require a separate bond.

Do I write the debtor’s full Social Security number on the writ?

No. GR 31 restricts filings to the last four digits; full SSNs trigger clerk redaction and possible sanctions.

How long does a Washington wage garnishment last?

Yes, it lasts 60 days under RCW 6.27.350; the creditor must reissue a new writ to keep withholding past day 60.

Do I need to pay the garnishee a fee?

Yes. The creditor must tender a $10 answer fee with the writ under RCW 6.27.090; the garnishee may also recover up to $20 in processing costs from the debtor.

Can I list “Chase” or do I need the full bank legal name?

No, “Chase” is insufficient; you must use JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and serve the registered agent, or the bank can ignore the writ.

Is the issuance fee the same in District and Superior Court?

No. Superior Court charges $20 under RCW 36.18.012 and District Court charges $12 under RCW 3.62.060.

Do I check the continuing lien box on a bank writ?

No. That box exists only on the WPF GARN 01.0450 wage writ; checking it on a bank writ voids the form.

Can a paralegal sign the writ in Superior Court?

No. Only the clerk or an attorney of record under RCW 6.27.020(2) may sign; paralegal signatures are void.

What goes in the “estimated interest to accrue” box?

Yes, you compute daily interest at the judgment rate times the expected days the writ will be active, plus the $10 garnishee fee and service costs.

Do I have to mail the debtor a copy myself?

Yes. Within three days of serving the garnishee, the creditor must mail the writ packet to the debtor under RCW 6.27.130 and file a Declaration of Mailing.

Can I garnish federal benefits like Social Security?

No. 42 U.S.C. § 407 protects Social Security from most writs; only child support and federal tax debts pierce the protection.

What if the debtor files an exemption claim?

Yes, the court schedules a hearing within 14 days under RCW 6.27.160; funds are held until the judge rules on the claim.

Is a private student loan exemption different from a credit card exemption?

Yes. Private student loans use the 85% exemption under RCW 6.27.150(1)(d), while consumer debts use 80%.

Can I file a writ in any Washington county?

No. The writ must issue from the same court that entered the judgment, or a court where the judgment has been domesticated under RCW 6.36.